A previous message read: Yes I am told they have phone records also. Simon or Lisa can you get across this please and get in touch with Anthony if needed. One of his colleagues had replied: If we spend any more time dealing with this non issue I am going to lose my mind. The newest message read: Simon I am attaching Anthony’s number and details below. Give him a ring tonight if possible or tomorrow morning ?
No one is happy about this but it’s where we are. Locking his phone, he allowed his
eyes to close and for a few moments he sat on the sofa not moving, his chest rising and falling with his breath. After a time he lifted a hand and passed it slowly down his face.
Finally he reached for the remote control and turned the television on. The nine o’clock news was just beginning. He sat watching the first few items roll past on the screen, his eyes half-closed, almost as if he was asleep, but sipping now and then from the cup of tea he kept on an arm of the couch beside him. During an item about road safety his phone buzzed, and he reached for it immediately. On-screen a new message displayed.
Eileen: oddly formal tone here Simon
He stared down at this message for several seconds, and then typed out a response.
Simon: Was it?
An animated three-dot ellipsis displayed on-screen, to show that Eileen was typing.
Eileen: why do men over 30 text like they’re updating a LinkedIn profile Eileen: Hi [Eileen], it was great seeing you on [Saturday]. Can we connect again? Try selecting a time and date from the drop down menu
Vaguely now he smiled to himself as his thumbs moved over the keyboard.
Simon: You’re right
Simon: If only I were a younger man, I would manually turn off the autocaps function on my phone in order to seem more laidback
Eileen: it’s in settings
Eileen: I can help you find it if you get stuck
At the top of the screen, a new email appeared in the ‘Tuesday call’ thread. The opening text displayed as: Hi all. Have just heard from TJ . . . Simon dismissed the notification without opening it, and began typing another message to Eileen.
Simon: No, that’s ok
Simon: I’m always copy and pasting that message saying I had a nice time at the weekend, can we see each other again, etc.
Simon: Never had any complaints before
Eileen: ahaha
Eileen: you can use copy and paste?? I’m impressed
Eileen: anyway yes, we can see each other this week
Eileen: when is good?
Another message appeared at the top of the screen, from a contact listed as ‘Geraldine Costigan’。
Geraldine: Your dad says you can give him a ring tomorrow evening if that suits you sweetheart. xxx
Simon let out a long slow breath, and then swiped upward to dismiss the message. His eyes moving back and forth over the messages to and from Eileen, he typed the words Would you, and then deleted them. He scrolled back up to the previous texts and looked at them once more. Finally, he began typing again.
Simon: Are you busy just now?
The double tick showed that Eileen had seen the message, and then the ellipsis appeared.
Eileen: no
Eileen: I was going to have a bath but my flatmates used all the hot water Eileen: so I’m just lying on my bed looking at internet Eileen: why ?
On the television, the news had finished and the weather had come on. An illustrated yellow sun hovered over the Dublin region on the map. Simon started typing again.
Simon: Do you want to come over here?
Simon: Endless hot water
Simon: Ice cream in freezer
Simon: No flatmates
A few seconds passed. He rubbed at his jaw with his hand, watching the screen, which reflected on its surface the bulb of the ceiling light in its glass shade overhead.
Eileen: !!
Eileen: I was not fishing for an invite!!
Simon: I know that
Eileen: are you sure?
Simon: Yes
Eileen: it’s very nice of you
Simon: What can I say, I have a very nice personality Eileen: it sounds like fun…
Eileen: but I don’t want to intrude on you again!!
Simon: Eileen
Simon: Put your shoes on, I’ll call you a taxi
Eileen: hahaha
Eileen: yes daddy
Eileen: thank you
Looking gratified, he closed out of the messages, opened a taxi app and ordered a driver to Eileen’s address. He rose from the sofa then, muted the television and went to the sink with his empty cup of tea. After washing up and wiping down the kitchen surfaces, he went into his room and made his bed. Several times while he carried out these tasks, he took his phone from his pocket and checked the taxi app, where a small icon representing Eileen’s cab moved slowly and hesitatingly along the quays and southward, and then, closing the app, he pocketed his phone again and returned to what he had been doing before.